R.C. Buford on teams trying to steal him from Spurs: ‘I’m exactly where I’m going to be’

Though his name was at the top of a list of candidates reportedly being considered by the new owner of the Sacramento Kings to run that team’s basketball operations department, Spurs general manager R.C. Buford on Thursday made it crystal clear he will not be leaving the Spurs.

“I’m exactly where I’m going to be,” Buford said. “I have no idea what kind of a list anybody has, but I’m exactly where I want to be.”

USA Today on Monday reported that new Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has informed longtime general manager Geoff Petrie he won’t be retained when his contract expires on June 30. Citing sources familiar with Ranadive’s process, Buford’s name topped Ranadive’s list of potential replacements.

“I don’t even pay attention to it,” Buford said. “There’s no reason for anybody to be a distraction to what this (Spurs) team has accomplished.”